Frugal ways to help your local foodbank this Christmas

Create a reverse advent calendar this month to help your local foodbank

Millions of UK households rely on foodbanks to help feed their families - and demand is set to rise over Christmas as finances are stretched with extra costs such as heating.

But this year, you could make a difference by putting together a reverse advent calendar box for your local foodbank.

Essentially, the concept involves putting one item into a box each day for the next 25 days, which you then send your local foodbank. Starting it this month means your local foodbank can stock up before Christmas.

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It’s also a great way to teach your children or grandchildren about giving at Christmas.

'Millions of households are in extreme poverty aleady and there is increased pressure on foodbanks during Christmas,” says Kalpana Fitzpatrick, GH consumer editor.

'Even families feeling the pinch this Christmas can help on a budget. Many cashback shopping apps give away free or cut-price household items and food, so you can claim them and put them towards your foodbank donation,' adds Kalpana.

For example, if you’re using the Shopmium app (iOS and Android), you can get Yorkshire Tea for £1 instead of £2.29 or a pack of Hit biscuits for free. If you use CheckoutSmart (iOS and Android), you can currently claim free baby food pouches for free. Make sure you keep all receipts to obtain cashback; you will have to scan the receipt and item barcode into the app to get your money back.

You can also take advantage of supermarket offers.

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It’s worth checking with your local foodbank to see what they are in need of; non-food items such as sanitary products are often in demand and in little supply.

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